Co-infection of turkeys with E. coli (O78) and H6N1 avian influenza virus.

Co-infection of turkeys with E. coli (O78) and H6N1 avian influenza virus. Avian Pathol. 2018 Mar 08;:1-39 Authors: Umar S, Delverdier M, Delpont M, Belkasmi SFZ, Teillaud A, Bleuart C, Pardo I, El Houadfi M, Guérin JL, Ducatez MF Abstract Respiratory diseases are responsible for major economic losses in poultry farms. While in most cases a single pathogen is not alone responsible for the clinical outcome, the impact of co-infections is not well known, especially in turkeys. The purpose of this study was to assess the possible synergism between E.coli (O78) and low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV, H6N1), in the turkey model. Four-week-old commercial turkeys were inoculated with either H6N1, O78 or both agents simultaneously or 3 days apart. We have established an experimental infection model of turkeys using aerosolization that better mimics field infections. Birds were observed clinically and swabbed on a daily basis. Necropsies were performed at 4 and 14 days post single or dual inoculation and followed by histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Combined LPAIV/E.coli infections resulted in more severe clinical signs, were associated with higher mortality and respiratory organ lesions (mucous or fibrinous exudative material in lungs and airsacs), in comparison with the groups given single infections (p<0.05). The time interval or the sequence between H6N1 and E. coli inoculation (none or 3 days) did not have a sig...
Source: Avian Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Avian Pathol Source Type: research